Ignoring the insinuation in his credo that protestants don't know truth, that leaves two things...to learn what protestants believe, but not to push Mormonism.
About a year ago I went a few rounds with DavidM about the fact that he has been on TT for three years (at that time, four now) and still asks the same questions of protestants and what they believe. Obviously, he has not learned what protestants believe in the 3 years (now 4) he has been on TT. In fact, once he asks someone what they believe, he often then debates them on it. Now debating is okay on TT. That is one of it's purposes. But to say you are here to learn what someone believes, and then turn on them and try to debate them is disingenuous.
Merriam Webster: disingenuous - giving a false appearance of simple frankness
Here is an example. Did you see the movie "Mars Attacks"? In this movie the Martians are marching through the streets playing a recording (credo?) "Do not run. We will not harm you. We are your friends", or something like that. At the same time they are mercilesslty firing on and killing the very humans they are telling not to run or be afraid.
While that is an extreme example, DaveH is doing the same thing in a subtle way. I was deceived by his TRUE intentions after having heard his credo. He pounced on me the first week I was in TT, and not knowing he was being disingenuous, took his bait. I very honestly and openly told him what I believed because he said that is what he wanted to "learn what protestants beleive". But then he came back and began to debate what I beleived from his LDS perspective. Again, that is okay on TT, it just is not what he told me he wanted to accomplish. He misled me. I then realized that he didn't really want to know what I beleive. instead he wanted to debate me on what I believe.
So, when DH makes the statement that he is not here to push Mormonism, I expect him to be true to his word and not push Mormonism. And when he does, he makes himself out to be a liar. Now, there is nothing wrong with pushing Mormonism on TT. That is okay. The problem comes in when DaveH does what he says he is not here to do. That makes him out to be a liar.
Now, if DavidH updated his credo to include what he actually does do on TT, it would be something like this, "I am here to try to understand what "protestants" believe, and if it is different than what I believe, I might choose to debate you on it, and even use my LDS beliefs in the debate."
Now, THAT would say exactly what DaveH does on TT. His stated goals would be congruent with his actions. He would not, then, be misleading in his credo, and would not make himself out to be a liar.
I am open to the possibility that DavidH does not see this incongruity between his stated beliefs and his actions. But, I take him to be much smarter than that.
Perry
From: "David Miller" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [TruthTalk] Christian Perfection Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2004 11:08:39 -0400
Perry wrote: > ... I just cringe when you say (type) that you are > not hear [sic] to teach LDS theology, then you teach > LDS theology.
I understand Dave to be saying that the reason he is here is not to teach LDS theology. In other words, his purpose for being here is not to proselytize or teach others about Mormonism. That does not mean that he will never teach LDS theology while he is here. I really don't understand your problem with this. It is kind of like stopping at a gas station for gas, but then after you are there you decide to buy a coke. Did you go to the gas station for gas or a coke? It seems reasonable to me that if people are going to ask Dave about his beliefs, or if he is being challenged about his beliefs, then he might share what his beliefs are, even if they are LDS in origin. Such does not mean that his reason for being here has changed anymore than someone would argue that you stopped at the gas station for a coke just because you bought one. Your real motivation was to get gas, not to get a coke.
Peace be with you. David Miller, Beverly Hills, Florida.
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"Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org
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---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org
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